There are silver linings to most clouds, and many families are finding that as a result of having to budget more carefully and review the amount that they spend on summer holidays and other breaks, they are discovering the attractions of a caravanning holiday in the UK. The image of the traditional British caravanning holiday has not been one to inspire people in the past, but with parks, facilities and caravans transformed in the last few years, tradition has come together with the contemporary to offer economic and fun holidays to the family.

If you are thinking of buying a caravan to give you the freedom and flexibility to get away when you want to, then the first consideration is- static or mobile? Both have their advantages. With a mobile caravan you have the obvious plus point of being able to up sticks and move on whenever you wish. On the other hand, don't forget that you will need to arrange a pitch on a suitable park ahead of time during the busy holiday periods, and a smaller caravan won't offer you the space or level of facilities of a static caravan.

Exploring caravans for sale UK wide on the Internet will provide you with an overview of the types of caravan on offer and prices for new and second-hand, and Park Resorts have an extensive range available on their sites around the UK, one of which is likely to be near your home. You can also research which parks might most appeal. Many are on or close to the coast, and will offer the family the chance to enjoy a seaside holiday, as well as offering play and entertainment facilities on site. Some top tips on how to get the most enjoyment from your caravanning holiday in the UK:

• Plan well ahead, and be realistic. If you have young children, more than a couple of hours drive at a stretch can be purgatory for you and the kids, so factor in frequent breaks and prepare for a more leisurely trip. Stop off at interest points on the way to your destination
• Choose a park which not only offers great facilities on site, but is also a good base to explore from. Typical examples would be Brynowen on the West Wales coast, which looks out over Cardigan Bay and is backed by the Cambrian Mountains, or Warden Springs on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, surrounded by woodland and peaceful countryside, with the historic Cinque Towns to discover nearby
• If you are considering buying a mobile caravan, find out if you can tow a caravan on your existing licence. You also need to know the maximum legal weight that your car can tow before you make your purchase, and it's a good idea, if you are not experienced, to get some training before you set off on your holiday.